Chapter 18

Auriga: Preparing for Battle

Summer 1996

Bellatrix lost no time in beginning Draco's training, and Narcissa barely saw her son over the next two weeks. She had tried to involve herself in Draco's lessons, arguing that she as good an Occlumens as her sister, but Bellatrix refused point-blank, and Draco backed his aunt, saying stubbornly, "The Dark Lord asked Aunt Bellatrix to teach me, Mother. And he said you were not to take part." Narcissa could not argue with this, and reluctantly left them to it. She noted with sorrow that Draco had reverted back to calling her "Mother" and felt a wedge being driven between them once more. At meal times, she noticed him looking at her with suspicious, grey eyes, but when she tried to read him, saw nothing; Bellatrix was clearly an effective teacher. When Severus came to visit, Draco and Bellatrix were shut in the drawing room. As she opened the door to her friend, she heard cries of "Crucio!" followed by terrible screams. Severus raised an eyebrow,

"Anything I should be worried about?"

"Bellatrix took Draco out this morning to a Muggle town. They brought a guest back with them," Narcissa said shortly. She tried to keep her voice steady, but couldn't look Severus in the eye as she adopted a nonchalant air. "I'm sure it will be over soon. He seems to have mastered that one, and the other two are much quieter." Severus nodded, his face blank, and Narcissa led him up to her parlour. Once inside, she poured out her worries to her friend. "I know you are going to protect him..." she finished, drying her eyes "...but hearing him using those spells... I didn't realise it would hurt this much." Severus did not say anything. He had sat completely still throughout her emotional outburst, shoulders hunched. Crying always makes him feel uncomfortable, Narcissa thought, but to his credit he was trying; he took her hand and patted it gently just as the door to the parlour swung open.

"Mother -" Draco began, but stopped at the sight of Severus. "I didn't know you were here," he sneered, openly glaring at the Potions Master. Narcissa was surprised, Draco had never spoken to Severus like this before. She stood up, turning to face her son.

"What is it, Draco?" she asked, walking over to him and putting a hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off, his grey eyes flickering back to her, and she saw for one, heart-stopping moment, contempt in his expression.

"We killed the Muggle. What should we do with its body?" he said abruptly. Narcissa felt bile rise in her throat. 'We'... does he mean that he did it, or Bella?

"Who killed the Muggle, Draco?" Severus' smooth voice sounded to her right, and Narcissa realised he was standing next to her.

Draco scowled at him and mumbled, "Aunt Bellatrix. I tried... but it didn't... but I'll keep trying."

Relief flooded through Narcissa and she smiled weakly at Draco. "Transfigure it into something small, then have Ingle dispose of it in the Muggle world. No-one will find it there."

Draco nodded, his features still twisted with dislike. "He needs to leave." Draco jerked his chin at Severus. "And you are to come downstairs."

"Excuse me?" Narcissa said, shocked that her little boy was speaking to her in such a rude way.

"I said Snape is to go and you are to come downstairs," Draco repeated condescendingly, as if she was very stupid. "I need someone to practise the Imperius curse on."

Narcissa drew herself up to her full height, anger coursing through her. "Draco Lucius Malfoy, I am disgusted at the way you are speaking to me, and your father would be appalled if he could hear you now."

Draco flushed angrily. "I am head of the Malfoy family now, and I said -"

But Narcissa cut him off firmly, "Your father is head of this family, Draco, until such time as he sees fit to pass the baton on to you. And in his temporary absence, I, as his wife, take his place. You are sixteen yours old -"

"I have the Dark Lord's Mark!" Draco cried, pushing up the sleeve of his robes.

"Do not interrupt me, Draco," Narcissa said in a low, dangerous voice. "That Mark gives you no authority in this house. I am your mother, and you will speak to me with the respect I am due. You will knock and wait to be bid to enter when you come to my parlour, you will address me as "Mum" or "Mother", you will not order me around as if I am a House-elf, you will treat my guests with respect, and you will never, ever, use an Unforgivable curse against me. Do I make myself clear?"

Draco looked into her eyes and in his rage, his defensive walls gave way. She read anger, resentment and shame, before he broke eye contact and muttered, "Yes, Mother."

"You owe myself and Severus an apology," Narcissa said coldly. Draco was silent, and she said, "Do not make me ask again, Draco."

"I'm sorry, Mother, Professor," he mumbled, still looking at his feet.

"That's better. And if you require a victim, go out and get one. There are plenty of Muggles and Mudbloods to choose from. Just make sure no-one sees you."

"Yes, Mother." Draco began to turn away, but Narcissa called him back,

"Wait, Draco. There is something else I wish to say to you."

He turned back, anger still radiating off him. "Yes, Mother?" he said, in tones of forced politeness.

"Severus knows what the Dark Lord has asked of you, Draco." Draco's head jerked and he opened his mouth to protest, but at the furious look his mother shot him, he closed it again and nodded stiffly. Narcissa went on, "He has promised me he will watch over you and help you to the best of his ability." A strange look passed over Draco's face, and he muttered something Narcissa couldn't quite hear. "What was that, Draco?" she asked.

He looked up, cheeks red again and he said quietly, "I don't need his help." He's lying... Narcissa realised. That's not what he said...

"Let us hope not," Severus said, speaking for the first time. "But I will offer it nonetheless."

Draco scowled again. "May I go now?" he growled at the carpet.

"You may." Narcissa nodded, and her son turned away, stalking down the corridor. She turned back to Severus, breathing heavily. "I'm sorry you had to see that," she said lightly. "He's never behaved like that before."

"Perhaps it is Bellatrix's influence? Combined with the gravity of his mission..." Severus suggested, still looking at the spot Draco had been standing in.

"Did you hear what he said?" Narcissa asked.

Severus glanced shrewdly at Narcissa. "I did."

"And?" she asked.

Severus sighed. "He said 'I bet he has.'"

Narcissa frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"If he has been spending time with your dear sister, I assume she has been filling his head with all sorts of unpleasant stories about me." Severus shrugged. Bella... you wouldn't... Narcissa thought, remembering the charges Bellatrix had already laid at her door about her relationship with her friend. "I can only presume she has told him I am going to try to take over his mission then claim all the credit and favour with the Dark Lord for myself," Severus went on, and Narcissa breathed a sigh of relief.

"That makes sense," she said. She moved back to the sofa and Severus sat next to her again.

"I have some news," he said, and she turned to him, grateful for a distraction from her thoughts about her sister and her son.

"Yes?" she asked.

"I will not be teaching Draco Potions this academic year." Severus was smirking, and Narcissa gasped.

"You mean... the Dark Lord has allowed you to quit? But what about -?"

"No, no!" Severus said, shaking his head. "I will still be at Hogwarts, but as the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor." His black eyes were glittering, and Narcissa could see this meant a great deal to her friend.

"Congratulations." She smiled.

"The Dark Lord was pleased... although it came at a price. Dumbledore managed to recruit Horace Slughorn."

"Oh," Narcissa said, vaguely remembering Lucius telling her the Dark Lord had been wanting to get their old teacher onside for quite some time. "So he'll be teaching Potions?"

Severus nodded. "I do not know how much you and Bellatrix will have heard, but we are generally gaining ground... the giants have been wreaking havoc in Somerset, and the Carrows managed to destroy a Muggle bridge whilst it was in use. Several Muggles lost their lives." His voice was devoid of any pity, and he went on, "Greyback has made contact with a group of werewolves, and got them all onside. Lupin has been sent from the Order to try to convince them otherwise, but Greyback is far more persuasive." Severus smirked, then his expression cleared and he said, "And I think I should warn you. Did you know that your niece, Nymphadora, is in the Order?"

"What?" Narcissa asked, shocked. "But - how?"

"She is an Auror, training under Alastor Moody. But the reason I bring it up is that she has developed an attachment to Lupin."

"To a werewolf?" Narcissa was disgusted. "A half-breed! This is where marrying filth gets you! Bella will be furious... and Severus!" she cried in alarm. "If the Dark Lord finds out -"

"I do not see how it can be concealed from him, but forewarned is forearmed. It may well come to nothing - Lupin is a coward, and is so worried about passing his condition onto any offspring unfortunate enough to be borne to him that he volunteered for the werewolf-anti-recruitment-mission, just to get away from her. With any luck, he will go the same way as Black and Potter... then it will just be Wormtail to go." He smiled evilly, then went on, "And what else... oh yes, the Dark Lord killed Madam Bones himself -"

"Yes, I read about that in the Prophet," Narcissa interrupted.

"Have you heard about Karkaroff?" Severus asked silkily.

"No!" Narcissa gasped. "But I thought he'd gone back to Europe?"

"He tried, but Doyle Travers tracked him down. Esau Goyle helped dispose of him."

"Good." Narcissa nodded savagely. "He deserved it."

"Indeed. The new Minister for Magic is taking a rather hard line. Kingsley Shacklebolt has been placed in the Muggle Minister's office for his protection. The Muggle Junior Minister was placed under the Imperius curse and has been taken to St Mungo's. That, too, was Goyle's work, but it was poorly done," Severus went on.

Narcissa was silent for a moment, then asked, "Severus... have you used all the Unforgivable curses?"

He looked surprised at her question. "Why do you ask?"

"It's just... is it really necessary? For Draco to learn them all, I mean."

Severus considered her for a few moments then said smoothly, "A Death Eater in the Dark Lord's service cannot survive without using Dark magic. I have controlled, tortured and killed many Muggles, witches and wizards in the Dark Lord's name; I would not be sitting here if I had not. Draco has to do this, Narcissa."

"But, he's so young -"

"And he has his whole life ahead of him," Severus said quietly. "We need to ensure he gets through this, Narcissa, or he will have no future." They sat side by side in silence, then Severus said abruptly, "Have you used all those curses?"

"Two," Narcissa replied. "I used the Cruciatus curse on our old elf. He -" She closed her eyes, still feeling sick at the memory of her blind panic when she awoke to find Draco gone, following his echoing screams through the Manor. "- He disobeyed a direct order and took Draco from me. He deserved it. And I have used the Imperius curse on a wizard." She did not say who, and went on quickly, "But here are more ways to kill than the Killing curse, Severus. I have been directly responsible for the death of one wizard, and probably indirectly responsible for many more." She remembered the Devil's Snare, and all the Inferi and cursed medallions she had made.

Severus nodded at her words. "Yes," he said, tonelessly. "There are many paths which lead to death..." He stood up suddenly. "I should go. Draco will receive his O.W.L results tomorrow, but I can tell you that he has done well."

Narcissa also rose to her feet and smiled. "Thank you, Severus. Will you write to me this year?"

"I will. You have my word." He allowed her to hug him, then she walked him down to the front door. The drawing room door was open, but a quick glance told Narcissa that no-one was inside the room; Bellatrix and Draco had evidently left to capture a new victim. Narcissa spent the rest of the day alone, hearing screams occasionally sound from the drawing room. At dinner, Draco was coldly polite to her. Bellatrix had a nasty gleam in her eye as she ate, watching the mother and son closely. The drawing room bore no signs of the chaos and bloodshed it had seen that day, and Narcissa pushed it from her mind. Of course Draco needs to know those curses, Lucius has used them all, after all...

The next morning, Draco's O.W.L results arrived. He brought them to Narcissa's parlour, knocking on the door and waiting for her to call him before he entered the room. Narcissa took the proffered parchment from her son and read through the list quickly:

Astronomy: E

Care of Magical Creatures: E

Charms: E

Defence Against the Dark Arts: E

Herbology: E

History of Magic: A

Potions: O

Study of Ancient of Runes: E

Transfiguration: O

"Draco! Well done I'm so proud of you!" Narcissa cried in genuine delight, pulling her son to her. He allowed her to hug him, and she saw his face light up briefly at her praise.

"This means I can take all my chosen subjects, Mum," he said. Narcissa nodded, stroking his hair. Draco had elected to take Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Potions and Astronomy for N.E.W.T. "I need to buy my new books, Mum -"

"The Dark Lord doesn't care about exam results, Draco." Bellatrix's haughty voice interrupted them. Narcissa looked up to see her sister framed in the doorway, arms folded. "Loyal service matters to him, not academic achievement. I do hope you won't forget your mission - your N.E.W.T studies do not matter."

Draco stepped away from his mother, his shoulders hunched. "Yes, Aunt Bella," he said, his voice cold.

But Narcissa was still glaring at Bellatrix. "His grades do matter, Bella. He had worked hard for these results, don't you dare ruin this for him!"

"It's fine, Mother. Aunt Bella is right. May I go?" Draco asked, looking at the floor.

Narcissa hesitated, then gave in. "Yes," she said. Her son turned and stalked away without another word. Bellatrix stepped back to let him pass. Narcissa rounded on her sister. "What did you have to say all that for? He was proud of his results, and you sneered at him!"

Bellatrix shrieked with laughter. "Cissy! I was telling him the truth - I am preparing him for his mission. You really ought to be more grateful... I always tell Draco the truth, even if you are happy to lie to him."

Narcissa felt her stomach twist. "What do you mean by that, Bella?"

Bellatrix stepped towards her sister and hissed, "You know exactly what I mean, Cissy. Even if you trust the half-blood traitor, I don't, and neither does Draco."

Narcissa stepped back, the venom in her sister's voice unsettling her. "What have you said to Draco, Bella?" she whispered.

"The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth," Bellatrix said slowly and she left the room.

Ten days later, Narcissa was sitting alone in her parlour when Ingle's familiar, light knock sounded at the door. "Enter," she called, turning a page of the magazine she was trying to interest herself in. The little elf bowed low, and said in a squeaky voice,

"Madam Malfoy, is you wishing Ingle to bring any food to your guests?"

Narcissa looked up, frowning. "We don't have any guests, Ingle."

"Begging Madam Malfoy's pardon," Ingle said, looking at her mistress with large, brown eyes. "You is having two guests, Mrs Lestrange and Master Draco is bringing them home."

"Oh." Narcissa turned back to her magazine. "No, Ingle, they won't be staying. Remember what I told you? About the Muggles they bring home?" It had been very difficult to explain to the elf, who wished to do her mistress proud by looking after every person who set foot in the Manor, that some people only came to be tortured, killed, and their bodies disposed of.

Ingle heisted. "Madam Malfoy, Ingle is not thinking they is Muggles. They is having wands. They is being put in the cellar for the Dark Master to speak to."

"What?" Narcissa looked up. "You mean to say they have put wizards in my cellar?"

"Yes, Madam Malfoy." Ingle looked pleased and said, "Is Ingle taking meals to them?"

Narcissa stood up, the magazine falling to the floor. "No. Go to the kitchen and stay there until I call you. You are to tell no-one about this, you understand? Like the Muggles?"

"Ingle is not seeing any Muggles. Master Draco is a good boy and does not know the Dark Master. Mrs Lestrange does not live her," Ingle repeated her lines carefully, looking at her mistress for approval.

"Yes, that's right," Narcissa said distractedly, walking quickly from the room.

She ran lightly down the stairs, and came to a stop in the doorway to the drawing room. Draco and Bellatrix were standing by one of the windows, talking quietly. Bellatrix turned and smiled a bright, false smile at her sister. "Cissy! How are you today?"

Narcissa ignored her, looking at her son. "Draco. Ingle says there are two wizards in the cellar. Is this true?"

Draco looked at his aunt, who laughed dismissively. "You don't need to worry about that, Cissy. The Dark Lord will be here for them in a couple of days. He wants to question them."

Narcissa glared at Bellatrix. "What in Merlin's name gives you the right to use my house as a prison?" she demanded, folding her arms.

"This house belongs to the Dark Lord, Cissy," Bellatrix reminded her.

"This is MY house!" Narcissa shouted. "You should tell me before you do something like this!"

"I gave permission, Mother," said Draco, strutting forwards.

Narcissa snapped at her son, "How many times to I have to tell you Draco? You are not head of this family!" A shout echoed up from under the floorboards, and Narcissa looked down. "Who is down there?" she asked.

"Ollivander and Fortescue," Bellatrix giggled. "From Diagon Alley."

"YOU HAD MY SON KIDNAP TWO PEOPLE FROM DIAGON ALLEY IN BROAD DAYLIGHT?" Narcissa bellowed. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, BELLA?"

"Stop making such a fuss, Mother," Draco drawled, and Bellatrix put a hand on his shoulder, smiling triumphantly at her sister.

Narcissa looked at Draco's smirking face. "Fine," she snapped. "Do what you like. But if the Dark Lord wants to question them, they need to be conscious and lucid. So I would suggest you feed them, give them water and - for Merlin's sake - move the artefact collection somewhere else. You wouldn't want them getting their hands on some of those objects." Bellatrix looked surprised and Draco uncomfortable; it was clear this hadn't occurred to either of them. "And where are their wands?" Narcissa asked. Draco reluctantly took two wands out of his pocket. "Give them to me," Narcissa commanded, and he did, not looking at her. "If you had been caught with these, Draco, you would have been sent to Azkaban. You know we're on the Ministry's watch-list, and officials could turn up at any moment and conduct another raid." And with that Narcissa swept from the room. She took the wands to her dressing room and secreted them in the hidden recess at the back of her walk-in wardrobe. It was guarded by old protective enchantments, set up when the Manor was first built, and had been used over the centuries for the Malfoy women to hide their more valuable jewellery. Narcissa put the wands in carefully, and sealed the hiding place again.

The Dark Lord arrived a few days later. Narcissa was not invited to join him, Bellatrix and Draco in the drawing room, but she heard the screams as the prisoners were tortured. She found out the next day that Fortescue had been killed, but Ollivander was still alive, and was to remain in the cellar for the foreseeable future. Narcissa instructed Ingle to take him basic food and water, and to let her know if he looked seriously ill; the Dark Lord wanted him alive for further questioning.

In the first week of August, Draco asked Narcissa at breakfast, "Mother, may I go to Diagon Alley today?" Draco's book list for the new term had arrived a few days previously, and so a trip was required. Narcissa smiled at her son and said,

"Yes, Draco. We can go together." But he shook his head, saying stiffly,

"I am going alone, Mother. I don't need you babying me all the time."

Bellatrix laughed aloud at this, and Narcissa glowered at her. "Absolutely not," she said shortly, turning back to Draco. "You are not wandering around on your own."

"But I'm not in any danger, Mother!" Draco looked exasperated. "It's only the scum - the Mudbloods and blood traitors - who need to look out."

"Do not argue with me, Draco. I am taking you. You aren't in danger from any of our kind, but what about those who are angry with us? What about the 'scum', who might looking for revenge, Draco?"

"I can sort them out!" he snarled, looking mutinous.

"Oh yes, like you have on the train home for the last two years?" Narcissa snapped back before she could stop herself. Draco's face flushed a deep, angry red. Leaving his half-eaten toast on his plate, he stormed out of the room.

"Dear me, Cissy. That wasn't a very nice thing to say, was it? Poor Draco." Bellatrix's face was lit up maliciously as she regarded her sister.

"Shut up, Bella!" Narcissa snapped, rising from her seat and following her son from the room.

Their trip to Diagon Alley was not a success. Draco had started to address his mother in a slightly scathing manner which upset and irritated her in equal measure. They spent the whole walk down the cobbled, shop-lined street bickering, barely noticing the other shoppers, who were giving them a wide berth. They all had wide, fear-filled eyes, and were moving in packs, completing their shopping as quickly as possible. In Madam Malkin's, Draco was being fitted for new robes, sniping at his mother again for her instance that accompany him, when his expression suddenly changed and he drawled loudly, "If you're wondering what that smell is, Mother, a Mudblood just walked in." Narcissa looked towards the shop door and saw that Potter had just entered the shop with Weasley and Granger. Her mouth, too, curled into a smirk as she saw that the girl had a spectacular black eye. Madam Malkin looked flustered, and cried,

"I don't think there's any need for language like that! And I don't want wands drawn in my shop, either!" For Potter and Weasley both had their wands out, and were glowering at Draco. Narcissa glanced at her son. His wand was inaccessible, buried underneath the robe he was being fitted for. He seemed to realise this too, but drawled contemptuously,

"Yeah, like you'd dare use magic out of school. Who blacked your eye, Granger? I want to send them flowers." Madam Malkin flapped again, appealing to Narcissa for help. Narcissa stepped forwards, glaring at Potter and Weasley. She rested her own hand on her own wand, and said icily,

"Put those away. If you attack my son again, I shall ensure it is the last thing you do."

Potter raised an eyebrow and moved slowly towards her, still holding his wand. "Really? Going to get a few Death Eater pals to do us in, are you?"

I wouldn't need to ask for help, boy. Narcissa thought savagely, as Madam Malkin screamed and clutched at her heart, wittering on again. I'd take great delight in snapping your scrawny little neck myself. Aloud, she said, "I see being Dumbledore's favourite has given you a false sense of security, Harry Potter. But Dumbledore won't always be around to protect you." Next to her, Draco stood up a little straighter. Her words had had the desired effect and bolstered her son's confidence. See, Draco? I do believe in you.

Potter obviously missed the true meaning of her words. It was all Narcissa could do not to laugh as he looked around the shop, clearly trying to look impressive, as he said mockingly, "Wow... look at that... he's not there now! So why not have a go? They might be able to find you a double cell in Azkaban with your loser of a husband."

It was a low blow, and Narcissa put a hand on Draco's shoulder as he started angrily towards Potter, stumbling on the hem of the robes. "Don't you dare talk to my mother like that, Potter!" he growled. Narcissa couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth inside her as Draco sought to defend her. You want to play, Potter? she thought. Ok we'll play.

"It's alright, Draco. I expect Potter will be reunited with dear Sirius before I am reunited with Lucius." Her words hit home, and Potter raised his wand. Granger grabbed his arm, trying to reason with him. Narcissa stood, smirking, then turned as she heard Draco cry out in pain. Madam Malkin had grabbed his left arm, where his Mark was still tender. He fought her off, ripping the robes off over his head, snarling,

"Mother, I don't think I want these anymore."

"You're right, Draco." Narcissa cast an obvious and disdainful look at Granger before continuing, "Now I know the kind of scum that shops here... we'll be better at Twilfitt and Tattings." As they left the shop, Narcissa smiled at her son. "Nicely done," she said, and he looked up at her mirroring her expression.

"You, too," he drawled. They seemed to have reached a truce, and went to Twilfitt and Tattings, where they and bought Draco a handsome new set of dark green robes, before setting back off down the street and going into Flourish and Blotts and buying his new school books. They had just stepped back out onto the street when Draco's face twisted into an expression of pure loathing. "What's he doing here?" he snarled. Narcissa looked up and saw Severus had just left the apothecary. She waved and he walked over to them. "Did you ask him to meet us here?" Draco demanded, looking outraged.

"Draco, don't be -" Narcissa hissed, but couldn't say anymore as Severus was within earshot.

"Good morning Narcissa, Draco." He nodded to Narcissa and her son, but to her astonishment, Draco turned on his heel and marched away.

"Draco!" Narcissa called, but he ignored her. Narcissa made to go after him, but Severus laid a hand on her arm.

"Let him go," he said in a low voice. "Do not draw attention to what he is doing." Narcissa looked desperately after Draco, seeing him pass a new, garish joke-shop at the end of the street and then ducking into Knockturn Alley.

"But -" she said. Then she realised. It's for his mission. That's why he wanted to come here alone. "I'm not leaving him here," she said stubbornly to Severus.

"I would not have suggested you do so for one moment. Do you have anything left to buy?"

"Just his Potions ingredients."

"In that case, I am at your service. It would not do to be seen loitering, after all." So they entered the apothecary together, Severus quickly directing Narcissa to the right ingredients and equipment for an N.E.W.T student.

"What were you doing in here anyway?" Narcissa asked, as she paid and they left the shop. "If you aren't teaching Potions anymore?"

"Just because I no longer teach it, it does not mean I have lost all interest in the subject," he replied evenly. They spoke for a few more minutes, then Draco reappeared, looking sullenly at Severus.

"All done?" Narcissa asked, and Draco nodded, still unsmiling. "We'll be off then. Bye, Severus." He nodded curtly and swept away from them, and Narcissa and Draco walked in the opposite direction back towards the Leaky Cauldron, the shoppers once again scattering before them. It seemed that the brief truce with her son was over; Draco did not speak to her again all the way back to the Manor.

It was his last evening at home before the new school year, but Draco shut himself in his room. "I'm studying," he said shortly when Narcissa knocked, and he refused to come down for dinner. Narcissa, not wanting to eat with Bellatrix, asked Ingle to bring her food to her parlour, but picked at it listlessly, leaving most of it untouched.

She went to bed early, hoping that Draco would at least say goodbye to her properly at the station the next day, but when she awoke, it was to find her son had already left. Bellatrix told her gleefully that he had taken the Knight Bus to the station. "He's a man now, Cissy! He can look after himself! He doesn't need you anymore." Narcissa did not reply, but went back to bed and cried.